14 Years

by I-am-from-District-12

What happens when Bella Mellark turns 12? What will happen at the Reaping? And how will the family get through it? Written as if Catching Fire and Mockingjay never happened. Rated T just to be safe! Sorry about some of the spacing!

1. Chapter 1

Chapter 1 Chapter 1

Nightmares. Almost every night for 14 years, terrifying images crept into my dreams. They could be anything. My little sister Prim, little Rue, The Hunger Games, anything. They were all pretty horrible, but the one I just witnessed was the worst; I recognized the small square as the town center of District 12. Sad, even depressed children filled most of the square, dressed in their finest outfits. Parents, siblings, and by-standers crowed the back of the square, roped off from the children. You can see the Justice Building looming over the frightened children, where I am standing clutching my husband's hand. It was clear to see, this was a Reaping Day. I stand searching, for a particular face in the crowd of twelve year olds. My only daughter was standing among them. As the District 12 chaperone walks onto the stage, my heart skips a beat. A name card is pulled from the girl tub. When I hear the name, I start crying and screaming. Then I hear a voice, "Katniss, Katniss wake up!"

"Come on Katniss! Katniss wake up!" I could tell that was Peeta. He always has a sense of urgency in his voice when he's worried about me. I sat up with a start and with my head in

my hands, took deep breaths to try and calm down. "Bella was a tribute." I said shakily. He nodded understandingly. Peeta knew I had been worrying about the reaping for weeks on end. He pulled me into a warm embrace, which I welcome gladly. I dig my face into his chest, soaking him in tears, "What if she's it?" I ask softly. I know he's trying to think of a good answer for me, "Then District 12 will have another victor." He says. Peeta always says the right things. Not just to me, but all the time, to everyone. It had been 14 years since we had been in the arena. 14 years since the stunt with the berries, but I knew the Capitol still holds it against us. Ok, mostly against me, but taking out only child into the Games, wouldn't be something the Capitol wouldn't do. At this point, they would do anything.

I finally calm down, my arms wrapped around Peeta's warm body. As I'm about to fall asleep, I hear someone screaming. Bella. Peeta and I both sit up with a start, "I'll go." Peeta says, looking tired. I wanted to talk to her anyway, "No, let me." I offer. He nods and falls back to sleep. Bella was only twelve years old, the minimum age for the

Reaping, meaning this year was her first. At the Reaping, one boy and girl are chosen out of everyone aged 12-18. These 'lucky' people must represent District 12 in The Hunger Games, a fight to the death, with one remaining winner. As I walk in, I see Bella sitting on the edge of her bed, holding her head in her hands. She has long, straight black hair and shiny, light blue eyes that sparkle in the sun. She was the perfect mix of both me and Peeta, "You OK?" I ask. She still seemed very shaken, so I knelt in front of her and reached for her hand, "It was me." She said, still trying to catch her breath. At this comment, my mind flickered back to the morning of the Reaping Day 14 years ago. My sister Primrose had the same fears, the same nightmares. I miss little Prim every day. Four years after I returned from the arena, she was again chosen as tribute. I mentored her, and was forced to watch her die in the final four tributes, "You'll be fine Bells." I say reassuringly. I pat her hand and my eyes fall on a Capitol magazine next to her bed. Of course, after 14 years, it's still about the star-crossed lovers from District 12, "Where did you get this?" I ask slowly, "Someone gave it to me at school." She answered

I nodded and managed to get her to sleep. As I walk out I quietly take the magazine and stuffed it in the bin.

"Is she OK?" Peeta asks when I return. As I climb back into bed, I nod, "Nightmares." I say. When I get comfortable, I pull Peeta's strong arms around me, "It's OK." He says, now trying to calm me down, "If she gets picked, we'll be there." This is true. As the newest victors from District 12, we have to take over from our friend Haymitch as mentors for the tributes. I sigh and nod. He tightens his hold on me, making me feel safe and secure as it always does. I know she hasn't been picked yet, but I always suspect the worst.